Requiem for a great magazine
In the ’80s the India Today group had an amazing mag called Target. I’m not exaggerating when I say that a whole lot of us used to read, adore and worship it. Target had just the right blend – it was cool and yet informative; politically and environmentally correct, and yet verrrrrrrrry funny; humanistic, and still full of the most adventurous stuff to read and do.
It was brilliantly produced in every way. There was an elegance about the layouts which few mags can replicate today. The writing too had so much clarity and crispness. Sigrun Srivastava, especially, had a gentle undercurrent of humanism in her stories. With people like Ruskin Bond writing for the mag, there was a lot of good reading material in there. There were tons of Funnies and make-n-do pages (my absolute favourites!). Target literally had something for every mood.
The indefatigable Moochwaala by Ajit Ninan was, I think, his best work ever. He’s just never had such a canvas again! And the tuneless Gardhab Das – possibly inspired by Cacofonix the Bard – took care of the slightly sadistic streak that all kids have. He was bashed, beaten and humiliated, but he just wouldn’t stop! Target had some absolutely sublime artists – there was Atanu Roy (whose skills were consistently brilliant), Neelabh and Jayanto, and some really whacky guys who had a deliciously gross, Mad-inspired style.
What was really unique about Target was that it simply radiated energy and enthusiasm. It’s unbelievable that so many talented people managed to gather at one point in time and space. Makes you wonder why there can’t be another Target today – are kids too jaded? Or are publishers too wary?
Sigh… meanwhile, we have a small stack of old Targets left, and are hunting for more. If you’re thinking of hurling out any, give us a shout!
PS: What was your fix? Was it Children’s World? Or Tinkle, Chandamama or Champak?
It was brilliantly produced in every way. There was an elegance about the layouts which few mags can replicate today. The writing too had so much clarity and crispness. Sigrun Srivastava, especially, had a gentle undercurrent of humanism in her stories. With people like Ruskin Bond writing for the mag, there was a lot of good reading material in there. There were tons of Funnies and make-n-do pages (my absolute favourites!). Target literally had something for every mood.
The indefatigable Moochwaala by Ajit Ninan was, I think, his best work ever. He’s just never had such a canvas again! And the tuneless Gardhab Das – possibly inspired by Cacofonix the Bard – took care of the slightly sadistic streak that all kids have. He was bashed, beaten and humiliated, but he just wouldn’t stop! Target had some absolutely sublime artists – there was Atanu Roy (whose skills were consistently brilliant), Neelabh and Jayanto, and some really whacky guys who had a deliciously gross, Mad-inspired style.
What was really unique about Target was that it simply radiated energy and enthusiasm. It’s unbelievable that so many talented people managed to gather at one point in time and space. Makes you wonder why there can’t be another Target today – are kids too jaded? Or are publishers too wary?
Sigh… meanwhile, we have a small stack of old Targets left, and are hunting for more. If you’re thinking of hurling out any, give us a shout!
PS: What was your fix? Was it Children’s World? Or Tinkle, Chandamama or Champak?
Comments
Also Children's World was great for day-time reading, as was Suman Saurabh
It's great to read your stuff. Keep writing guys!
Bijal
and then one day it became teens today and that was the end.
Some of the most memorable stories I've ever read. I can still remember them today...
and, verily, great magazine. nothing comparable to it ever since.
sigh!
Thanks for this post! :)
I wish they still published magazines like that.
Why did the stop publishing it?
mohit ahuja
I've read the whole lot of 'em Amar Chitra Katha, Tinkle everything...but I dont know if it was not available in the south or something,I've never even heard of Target till a few days ago!!
And then I look it up and people have such amazing thigs to say about it...My girl friend was the one who tld me about it and I really really really want to read it!!! and I thought it would be great if I could get a copy for her Birthday...coming up
So any idea you guys where might one find a copy(live in Delhi btw)..I know you all would like one too...but did u have any luck since you've posted this blog Anita/Amit?
Would really appreciate a reply
Thanks hell of a lot!
PS: I obv would let you know too if I find a source :)
I do plan to go to old mag store chappies this weekend...will let u know if i find any there
Sidestepping from that issue...has anybody read gokulam?...it wasnt really great or anything...but pretty much in the lines of champak et al.
Despite what I've said about Target in my post, I did enjoy it a lot. Thanks for this!
Boy it would be great if someone could scan the illustrations in target and post them..
BTW another comic magazine i really miss is the Commando..
My dad had religiously bought Target and commandos for years.. termites got them else i could have given all you guys scanned copies of almost everything you've mentioned.. tinkle/ chandamama/ Targets/ Asterix/ Tintin/ Chacha chaudhury/ Mandrake & Phantom/ Some lost superheroes comics (Wonderwoman, plastic Man, green Lantern etc.), Superman/ batman... boy the dumb termites dint know what they goot their teeth into.. today i realise it was a fortune..
BTw if anyone wants i have scanned copies of asterix..
Lemme know on shikhar.consultants@gmail.com
and some tech guy should also tell me how to e-port the huge data..
Any luck getting scanned copies?
I finally got the Moochwala digest online, it's posted at ~~ http://bookscomics.blogspot.com/2010/01/adventures-of-detective-moochhwala.html ~~
Do go through the comments, as i've
posted two other special target collections, and given the links there.
And a special request to Anita&Amit -- if u have those old Target issues till now,please scan and upload them,or you can get in contact with the group of "scanners" who've put up the blog i mentioned before - they're a dedicated bunch, and i s'pose some are also based in pune/mumbai.
Dr.S.M.
Thanks a lot!!!
Target is the bestest!!!
RR
Rama
Target fans are scarred for life :) so we're all around and appreciative of old copies even as pdfs, I'm sure!
Thanks :)
Anita
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0JnrXsaP2QFaHlKUW5OUlBZQXc/edit
anita